Tinnitus and Hearing Loss

Do you hear ringing, humming, or buzzing noises in your ears or head?  

The symptoms are indicative of a condition known as tinnitus, and it can be a sign of hearing loss. People often ask us about the condition and are curious about what causes it, whether the ringing will go away, and whether there is a cure.  

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed cure for tinnitus, and we can’t say for certain whether it will ever go away. If you do experience this ringing sensation in your ears, it’s best to have your hearing checked.

Why should I have my hearing checked if you can’t fix my tinnitus?

We encourage you to have your hearing checked so that we can confirm if there is any hearing loss.

Many cases of tinnitus are caused by either age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) or noise-induced hearing loss, which can happen slowly over time or abruptly after a single traumatic event.

Not all tinnitus cases are caused from hearing damage.

Other possible causes of Tinnitus:

• Obstructions in your ear canal (such as wax or a foreign object)
• Head and neck trauma
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
• Sinus pressure
• Barometric trauma (from flying or scuba diving)
• Traumatic brain injury
• Ototoxic drugs (some medications are toxic to the ears)
• Medical diseases and conditions: (metabolic disorders, autoimmune disorders, blood vessel disorders such as high blood pressure, psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, or stress, vestibular disorders such as Meniere’s Disease, and tumors such as an acoustic neuroma)

During hearing tests, we complete thorough hearing evaluations and review your case history. If you are experiencing any other symptoms or we have any concerns regarding your results, we will refer you back to your family physician for a proper follow-up.

How can you help me with my tinnitus?

If you are diagnosed with hearing loss and are also experiencing tinnitus, there are technologies and therapies to help. One of the features found in some current hearing aid technology is “tinnitus sound therapy”. In addition to providing adequate amplification, hearing aids with this technology will emit a variety of sounds that can help relax and alleviate the tinnitus. There are also many tinnitus apps that provide similar functionality.

If more help is needed, there are trained professionals and therapists that work specifically with tinnitus patients helping them manage their symptoms through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Tinnitus is not easily measured, so each individual’s treatment program is unique.

If you have more questions about tinnitus or you would like to book a hearing evaluation, give our team a call, and we would be happy to assist you at 780-488-8100.

Danielle Pollard, BC-HIS
Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner
Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences